Mushroom compost compacting system and method

ABSTRACT

A mushroom compost compacting system and method includes a roller assembly mounted to a compost receptacle to form a nip, and a web or conveyor to convey mushroom compost to the nip. Mushroom compost is compacted at the nip from an initial compost height to a final compost height. The roller assembly has a roller, a shaft, and fixtures coupled to each end of the shaft. The fixtures are adjustable to define the roller nip height. In one embodiment, the fixtures are mounted to sleeves that engage the sidewalls of the compost receptacle. In another embodiment, the ends of the fixtures are mounted to a support, which may be a joist or a separate channel extending under the floor portion of the compost receptacle, or which may be a post that forms support structure for the compost receptacle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The field of the invention is mushroom compost compacting systems, andparticularly those systems for composting Phase II or Phase III mushroomcomposts.

2. Background

Mushroom farming comprises generally six steps: (1) Phase I composting;(2) Phase II composting; (3) spawning; or (2a/3a) Phase III composting;(4) casing; (5) pinning; and (6) cropping. The most used and leastexpensive mushroom compost is straw-bedded horse manure to whichnitrogen supplements and a conditioning agent, such as gypsum, areadded. After the compost ingredients have been mixed, watered andaerated in Phase I for a requisite number of days, the compost ispasteurized in Phase II. Pasteurization kills insects, unwanted fungi orother pests that may be present in the compost.

Preparing Phase II mushroom compost can be difficult. One reason for theapparent difficulty with this phase is that pasteurization can last upto two weeks, depending upon the production system used. The timerequired, as well as other difficulties in maintaining temperaturecontrol and eliminating pests during this phase have led many mushroomfarmers to purchase pre-pasteurized compost. In many cases, the Phase IIcompost is pre-mixed with mushroom spawn. Alternatively, Phase IIIcompost is pasteurized, pre-mixed with mushroom spawn and spawn run.

When commercial mushroom farmers purchase pre-pasteurized Phase II orPhase III composts, proper compaction of mushroom beds is stillnecessary to spawn and grow mushrooms. Moreover, regardless the type ofreceptacle in which the compost is stored during processing, uniformcompaction and density of the compost is beneficial for mushroomcultivation. For maximum yield, mushroom beds should have Phase II andPhase III compost density and compaction that fosters gas exchange,keeps compost temperatures sufficiently low, and prevents spawn kill inthe next phase of processing.

Presently, commercial mushroom farmers who purchase pre-pasteurizedcompost introduce the Phase II or Phase III compost into beds byconveyor and attempt to use spawning machines to compact the compost.These machines, however, are not designed to compact to the degreedesired for mushroom cultivation. Furthermore, these machines are lessthan desirable for commercial mushroom farmers because during operationthey also chop up the spawn incorporated into the compost, potentiallyinterfering with the next step in mushroom farming.

Other known compacting systems and methods are impractical forcommercial use. One such system uses an assembly with rollers andsmoothing plates. In this system, mushroom compost is partiallycompacted after placement into the mushroom bed. The assembly is thenhorizontally positioned over the bed and manually guided by twooperators located on each side of the bed. This system tends to compactonly a surface layer portion of the bed. Compaction to some degree hasalso been performed by hand after placement of compost in the bed. Thesetime-consuming manual systems and methods make clear the need forimproved mushroom compaction systems.

While certain aspects of prior art mushroom compacting systems have beendiscussed, aspects of these systems are in no way disclaimed and it iscontemplated that the claimed invention may encompass one or moreaspects of the prior art devices discussed herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed toward a mushroom compost compactingsystem and method. In one embodiment, the system comprises a rollerassembly mounted to a compost receptacle, and a web, all of which areconfigured to compact mushroom compost from an initial compost height toa final compost height. The compost receptacle is configured to receivemushroom compost from any source.

The roller assembly includes a roller, a shaft, and two fixtures toremovably mount or affix the roller and shaft to the compost receptacle.The roller is mounted for rotation on the shaft, such as by athrough-hole for receiving the shaft. The fixtures are coupled to theshaft for height adjustment of the roller and the shaft in relation tothe floor portion of the compost receptacle. Each fixture has (a) afirst end that is coupled to one respective end of the shaft, (b) amid-section that is coupled to a sleeve that seats over a sidewall ofthe compost receptacle, and (c) a second end that is adapted to mount toa support onto the compost receptacle. The sleeve that is coupled to themid-section of the fixture is adapted to removably mount onto thesidewalls of the compost receptacle.

The web or liner or conveyor included in the mushroom compacting systemis adapted to move under the roller to convey compost to the nip. As theweb or liner or conveyor moves under the roller, the mushroom compost iscompacted from an initial compost height to a final desired compostheight.

Accordingly, a mushroom compacting system and method are disclosed.Advantages of the system and method will appear from the drawings andfollowing description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention described above will be explained in greater detail belowon the basis of embodiments and with reference to the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a mushroom compost bed with amushroom composting system;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the mushroom composting system shownin FIG. 1 taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a left side partial perspective view of a roller assembly;

FIG. 4 is a right side partial perspective view of the roller assemblyof FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a right side view of the roller assembly;

FIG. 6 is a broken front elevation view of the roller assembly;

FIG. 7 is a right side view of two roller assemblies operably attachedto two mushroom compost beds; and

FIG. 8 is a right side view of an alternative fixture for a rollerassembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Turning in detail to the drawings, FIG. 1. illustrates a mushroomcompost bed 10 that includes a series of trays or shelves, hereincompost receptacles 12, into each of which mushroom compost 8 isdeposited or laid. The mushroom compost 8 may be Phase I, Phase II orPhase III compost. Phase II compost may be pre-spawned, and Phase IIIcompost may be spawn run. The compost receptacle 12 may be any geometricconfiguration suitable to house mushroom compost 8. In one configurationas shown in FIG. 1, the compost receptacle 12 is an elongated bin, tray,or shelf that has two endwalls 18 (not shown), two sidewalls 20, and abottom 22. The bottom may be a series of slats or decking runninggenerally lengthwise. Each compost receptacle 12 is supported byvertical posts or members 24 positioned at each corner of the compostreceptacle 12 and optionally at intervals along the length of thecompost receptacle 12. The vertical posts or members 24 may act assupporting legs for one or more compost receptacles 12. As shown in FIG.1, the vertical posts or members 24 extend vertically to support othercompost receptacles (three tiers shown in FIG. 1). These types ofmulti-tiered compost receptacles are typical in commercial mushroomfarming. For additional support, some compost receptacles also havehorizontal members or joists 26 that may be mounted to or connected tothe vertical members 24 and extend under the floor portion of thecompost receptacle 12. Typically, the compost receptacles 12 are wooden,although any suitable material may be used, including, but not limitedto plastic, metal, and composite materials.

The mushroom compost 8 is initially placed into the compost receptacle12 from any suitable source. Preferably, the mushroom compost 8 isdistributed inside the compost receptacle 12 along the length of thecompost receptacle using a conveyor system (not shown) that acts on theweb or conveyor or liner 28. In one type of conveyor system, at one endof the compost receptacle 12, compost is placed on top of the flexibleweb or conveyor or liner 28 in the bottom 22 of the compost receptacle12 at a proximal end thereof. The liner 28 is then pulled from theopposite distal end of the compost receptacle 12, such that the compost8 is distributed or spread along the length of the compost receptacle12. Examples of suitable materials for the liner include woven fabricswith a plastic or Teflon coating, or may be polyester.

A mushroom compost compacting system 11 includes a roller assembly 14that is removably affixed to the compost receptacle 12. Each rollerassembly 14 comprises a roller 32, a shaft 34, and two fixtures 36, 36′.The shaft 34 and roller 32 extend laterally over the tray portion of thecompost receptacle 12. The roller 32 may be made from a lightweightmaterial such as plastic or aluminum, or may be made of another metallined on its outer surface with a nylon or Teflon or other sheeting. Theroller surface is smooth such that the mushroom compost to be compactedby the roller may move easily under the roller 32. In one embodiment,the diameter of roller 32 is from about 8 to 20 inches. The shaft 34 maybe formed of steel; however, any material suitable to support the weightof the roller 32 may be used.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, the first fixture 36 includes a first end40, a mid-section 42 coupled to a sleeve 44, and a second end 46. Thefirst fixture 36 is coupled at one end 40 to one shaft end 38 at pillowblock bearing 50 and is coupled at the opposite end 62 to a support 58,such as a channel member. The pillow block bearing 50 is then mountedonto a mounting bracket or plate 52, using bolts 53 or other suitablefasteners. The mounting bracket or plate 52 is then welded to a firstmounting element 54 which is threaded to the mid-section 42. Disposedwithin the first mounting element 54 is a pin 56 which may be rotatedfor adjustment of the first end 40, such that height adjustment of theroller 32 and shaft 34 is possible for compaction of the mushroomcompost. As an example, the nip height between the outer circumferentialsurface of the roller and the floor of the compost receptacle may befrom about 2 to about 8 inches. The nip height is set at a distance thatis less than the desired compacted height of the mushroom compost.

The mid-section 42 of first fixture 36 may be joined by a spacer 48 ormay bewelded to a sleeve 44 that is removably mounted or seated orengaged onto a first sidewall 20 of the compost receptacle 12. Thesecond end 42 of the first fixture 36 is threaded to engage themid-section 42 and to mount onto the compost receptacle 12. Preferably,the second end or opposite end of the first fixture 36 is joined to ormounted to a support, such as channel member 58, that abuts joist orhorizontal member 26. In one embodiment, the channel member 58 is asquare hollow pipe with a length sufficient to extend under the compostreceptacle, and the dimensions of such square may be from 2 inches to 6inches. In another embodiment, the support may also comprise a solidpipe of suitable cross-sectional shape as desired. The second end 46 isfurther coupled to a handle element 60 to allow for adjustment of thesecond end 46. For additional adjustment of the second end 42, washer(s)63 may be placed between the channel member 58 and the handle element60.

Referring next to FIGS. 4 and 6, the second fixture 36′ may be joined byspacer 48′ or may be welded to a sleeve 44′. The second fixture 36′ iscoupled at one end 40′ to one shaft end 38 at pillow block bearing 50′and is coupled at the opposite end 62′ to a support 58, such as achannel member. The pillow block bearing 50′ is then mounted onto amounting bracket or plate 52′, using bolts 53 or other suitablefasteners. The plate 52′ is then welded to a first mounting element 54′which is threaded to the mid-section 42′. Disposed within the firstmounting element 54′ is a pin 56′ which may be rotated for adjustment ofthe first end 40′.

In an alternative embodiment, however, the second end of the firstfixture 36 and the second end of the second fixture 36′ are mounteddirectly to the compost receptacle 12, such as to post 24 or to joist 26(not shown).

The roller shaft may be turned by hand. Preferably, the first end of theshaft 34 is coupled to a motor 64 for rotation of the roller 32. Asshown in FIG. 3, the motor 64 is mounted to a vertical post 24 of thecompost receptacle 12 using a mounting plate 66. Adjustment of themounting plate 66 is achieved through use of a pin 68 that is threadedto the mounting plate 66. Suitable motors include electric and hydraulicmotors rated at 1 to 5 HP, or higher HP, although any motor withsufficient capacity to rotate shaft 34 may be used.

The first and second fixtures 36, 36′ may be formed from shaped metal,such as steel; however, other materials with sufficient strength tosupport the roller 32 and shaft 34 may be used.

Once installed, the mushroom compacting system 11 compacts mushroomcompost from a first height A to a compacted height B as illustrated inFIG. 2. Gauge boards (not shown) can be inserted adjacent to the sidewalls of the compost receptacle 12 to help workers place a quantity ofmushroom compost onto the conveyor, web or liner 28 at a desired heightat one end of the compost receptacle. The roller 32 is rotated in thedirection of arrow 9 and the conveyor, web or liner 28 conveys mushroomcompost laid thereon to the nip between the roller 32 and the floorportion of the compost receptacle 12. The mushroom compost compactingsystem 11 can be used with pre-spawned Phase II compost or spawn runPhase III compost without adversely impacting the mushroom crop. As oneexample, the height A may be about 15 to 16 inches and the height B maybe about 6 to 9 inches. A successful degree of compaction is determinedat the mushroom grower's discretion. The mushroom compacting system 11provides means to obtain a more uniform compaction of the mushroomcompost at the top, middle and bottom portions of the compacted compostbed.

Upon completing compaction of compost to a desired thickness within afirst bin or tray of a mushroom compost bed 10, the mushroom compactingsystem 11 may be detached from the sidewalls 20 of the compostreceptacle 12 and attached to another bin or tray.

As shown in FIG. 7, the mushroom compacting system 11 can includemultiple roller assemblies 14 operating concurrently on separate traysor shelves or compost receptacles 12 of one or more compost beds 10,10′. Each roller assembly 14 is portable, and may be easily disassembledand re-installed to other areas along the length of a compost receptacle12 or to other trays positioned above or below a first compostreceptacle 12 of a compost bed 10. Compost beds may include six or sevencompost receptacles 12 mounted in stacked relation. After a lowercompost receptacle is prepared and compacted, the next highest compostreceptacle may be installed and prepared and compacted for growingmushrooms.

An alternative construction of a fixture 76 is shown in FIG. 8. Thefixture 76 is welded at weld seam 78 to the sleeve 44. The fixture 76may be formed with thicker sidewalls than the fixtures 36, 36′ in FIGS.1-7, and has a generally square configuration in cross-section.

A properly compacted mushroom compost bed using the mushroom compactingsystem according to the invention can shorten the mushroom grow timecycle by one or two days. The system not only expedites mushroom bedpreparation with Phase II or Phase III compost, but also produces a moreconsistent compost compaction that can lead to enhanced yield in ashorter grow time cycle.

While embodiments of this invention have been shown and described, itwill be apparent to those skilled in the art that many moremodifications are possible without departing from the inventive conceptsherein. The invention, therefore, is not to be restricted except in thespirit of the following claims.

1. A mushroom compost compacting system, comprising: at least one rollerassembly coupled to a compost receptacle having mushroom composttherein, wherein the at least one roller assembly comprises: a rolleradapted for rotation on a shaft; a first fixture coupled to a first endof the shaft, wherein the first fixture is adapted for height adjustmentof the roller and the shaft in reference to a floor portion of thecompost receptacle to create a nip between the roller and the floorportion of the compost receptacle, wherein the first fixture comprises:a first end coupled to the first end of the shaft, a mid-section coupledto a sleeve, wherein the sleeve is adapted to mount onto a firstsidewall of the compost receptacle, and a second end adapted to mountonto a support of the compost receptacle; a second fixture coupled to asecond end of the shaft, wherein the second fixture is adapted forheight adjustment of the roller and the shaft in reference to the floorportion of the compost receptacle, wherein the second fixture comprises:a first end coupled to the second end of the shaft; a mid-sectioncoupled to a second sleeve, wherein the second sleeve is adapted tomount onto a second sidewall of the compost receptacle, and a second endadapted to mount onto the support of the compost receptacle; and a webadapted to convey the mushroom compost into the nip between the rollerand the floor portion of the compost receptacle.
 2. The mushroom compostcompacting system of claim 1, wherein the nip is from about 6 to about 9inches.
 3. The mushroom compost compacting system of claim 1, whereinthe support is a channel member positioned under the floor portion ofthe compost receptacle, and coupled to the second end of the firstfixture and the second end of the second fixture.
 4. The mushroomcompost compacting system of claim 1, wherein the support is a joistsupporting the floor portion of the compost receptacle.
 5. The mushroomcompost compacting system of claim 1, wherein the support is a postassociated with the compost receptacle.
 6. The mushroom compostcompacting system of claim 1, further comprising a motor coupled to theshaft for rotation of the roller.